Paper Mill Presents Autism-Friendly PUSHCART PLAYERS, 12/12

Pushcart Players, New Jersey's Emmy nominated and award-winning touring theatre for young audiences presents an autism-friendly performance of "A Season of Miracles" at Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ on Friday, December 12 at 10:00 am. This magical musical warms the hearts of family audiences with the true spirit of the holidays.

Autism-friendly performances are designed for loved ones with a developmental disability, attending the theatre with their families, groups, teachers and advocates. Pushcart Players and Paper Mill Playhouse adapt the performance and the theatre environment to provide a welcoming, comfortable and judgment-free space. Theatre house lights remain up, sound levels are kept consistent and children are free to move about with supervision. Pushcart adjusts the script to make it literal, free of innuendo and other dramatic devices to increase accessibility. Dynamics of the music and performance avoid sudden or jarring changes, while keeping the integrity of the production intact.

Paper Mill will host a "Meet Your Seat" Open House on Tuesday, December 9 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, giving audiences an opportunity to visit the theatre space before the show. These initiatives are coordinated by the Paper Mill Autism Advisory Team, which includes Linda S. Meyer Ed.D., MPA, BCBA-D, CPT ; Kelly A. Carlile M.A. BCBA; Jeffrey Jacobs M.A. BCBA.

"An inclusionary attitude in reaching schools and students with developmental, learning and other disabilities has always been important to Pushcarts' Arts Access Plan and overall mission," said Paul Whelihan, Pushcart Players' artistic director. "Our partnership with Paper Mill expands both companies' outreach objectives by making professional theatre accessible in a way that has not typically been an option."

"A Season of Miracles" is a multi-cultural collection of stories that celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa and Chanukah. The production visits O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi;' an original scene in Nigeria entitled 'The Kwanzaa Kite;' a story based on the wise men of Chelm folklore called 'The Chanukah Miracle;' and E.T.A. Hoffmann's 'The Nutcracker.' Every tale reflects the miracles of the season.

"As for miracles?" notes Ruth Fost, Pushcart co-founder and the production's playwright, "They are within us all and at the heart of each story. Miracles are the gifts of love, kindness, caring and sharing."

Whelihan directs the production. He is a director, stage-manager and performer off-Broadway (47th Street Theatre, 59 East 59 s, NY Fringe Festival) and regionally (Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Broward Center for the Arts, Centenary Stage, The Growing Stage, Luna Stage Company, Forum Cultural Arts Center, Quillo Arts Center, Dreamcatcher Rep) in musicals, dramas, original works and locally produced television, film and web series projects.

"A Season of Miracles" features Melanie Beck, JD Lynch, Anthony M. Stokes and Melissa Cox. Ms. Beck received her BFA from Ithaca College and recently played Izzy in "Cloned! The Musical," which premiered during the 2014 New York Musical Festival, winning the "Best of Fest" award. Other credits include the Off-Broadway production and tour of Works USA's "Skippyjon Jones," "Spelling Bee" at the Hangar , and the regional premier of "Grace" at Lake Dillon in CO.

JD Lynch is a graduate of DeSales University who portrays the Mad Hatter, the Caterpillar and many other roles in Pushcart's "Alice in Wonderland," now touring the region to critical acclaim. Anthony Michael Stokes returns from South Korea where he worked as a teaching artist. A trained cellist and puppeteer, his recent credits include Hondo/Walt in "Aisle Six" (2013NYFringe), the first national tour of "Clifford," originating the roles of Charley/Mr. Partland, Alcestis (American Thymele ), Admetus' Servant, Romeo and Bernadette/Romeo. Melissa Cox is a master in corporate and organizational communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University where she also studied Musical Theatre. Cox performed the role of Beth in "Little Women" in Maplewood NJ and Martha in "Spring Awakening" and Sister in "Damn Yankees."

Larry Hochman musically arranges "A Season of Miracles." Hochman won both the Tony and the Drama Desk awards for best orchestrations for "The Book of Mormon." He received Tony nominations for "The Scottsboro Boys," "Monty Python's Spamalot," (Hochman also received Drama Desk nominations for both), Fiddler on the Roof (2004 revival) and "A Class Act."

Pushcart Players has traveled over 2 million miles nationally and abroad since 1974 to serve more than 8 million children and their families with meaningful theatre. From the White House to the little red schoolhouse, this dynamic company has received numerous state and private awards for excellence and innovation. A cast of professional Equity actors and stage managers come with complete scenery, lighting and sound systems, making every performance adaptable to any location.

Paper Mill Playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn NJ. Tickets for "A Season of Miracles" can be reserved by visiting http://www.papermill.org/shows-tickets/for-school-groups.html or by contacting the box office at 973.376.4343 or boxoffice@papermill.org.

For further information on this or any of Pushcart's programs and services, contact Pushcart Players at 973.857.1115 or visit the website at www.pushcartplayers.org.